Rohith Vemula was troubled, Hyderabad University not responsible for suicide: Inquiry panel

An inquiry commission formed to probe the Rohith Vemula suicide case has said that the University of Hyderabad student committed suicide of his own volition and absolved the college authorities of any blame for his decision to end his life, The Times of India reported.

A file photo of Rohith Vemula. Twitter/@akslal

The report came from the one-man judicial commission, set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) in February, consisting of former Allahabad high court judge Justice Ashok Kumar Roopanwal. The commission was asked to submit its report within three months of its formation.

The report said that Vemula's suicide note indicated that he was a troubled individual and was unhappy "with worldly affairs". It also did not find then HRD minister Smriti Irani and BJP leader Bandaru Dattareya linked to the events which led to the suicide. The report also stated that Vemula was not a Dalit by caste.

The report was earlier leaked in the media in October 2016, after its submission in August. In January 2017, the HRD ministry had rejected an RTI to share the report, stating that it was under submission. However, it made the report public on Tuesday.

Vemula, a PhD student, committed suicide by hanging himself in a hostel room on the campus in January 2016. His death came after the university had expelled him and four of his friends from the hostel following a clash with an ABVP leader.

The research scholar's caste identity became the centre of the controversy that stirred up after his suicide. Protestors, mainly left groups have alleged that Vemula was a victim of oppression unleashed by the university and BJP leaders.